Recently at work we had a knowledge sharing session where we were broken into small virtual teams to discuss the topic of happiness at work. I was facilitating one of the conversations when the topic of flow vs growth came up. One of my colleagues and I were talking about how much we enjoy learning and growing, when another said but why does everything have to grow? He posed the question about how we are conditioned to believe that there has to be some sort of gain, profit, growth and or output from what we do. He said ‘why can’t we just do things without expecting anything to flourish?’ This is the point which he brought up his personal perspective on how flow is something he is trying to focus on more and more.
That was very thought provoking to me and it made me pause and reflect. I suddenly realised that there needs to be a balance between the two and that I’ve been so focused on the growth aspect that I’ve not allowed myself to enjoy the flow that comes with any circumstance. The sense of flow brings with it a sense of contentment, a peace of mind that you don’t have to go anywhere or achieve anything, instead, you’re fully focused on the task or topic at hand and you’re putting all your attention, energy and time into what is in front of you. It allows you to really immerse yourself with the experiences and therefore, not only enjoy what you do but also appreciate it more fully.
Immersing yourself in more flow experiences won’t cost you the growth that you’re seeking. If anything, it will bring about a growth that is less forced, more organic and more fruitful as it will come from a place of dedication, creativity and better problems solving. Not to mention, there will be more fulfilment and joy attached to it because you’re enjoying the journey not just the destination.
I always had this fear of becoming stagnant, like as though stopping meant going backwards, but this conversation made me realise that stopping gives me the opportunity to focus on what is in front of me, so that I can embrace it and enjoy it for what is. So that I don’t always have to worry about where I’m going and how I’m going to get there. Instead, I can indulge in the beauty of where I am and how far I’ve come.
It was a really fruitful conversation that opened my mind. I’m now more conscious of my motivations in all aspects of my life. I’m going to embrace more flow time, I’m going to try and come back to this reflection more often, because I think it can really help with enhancing on my day to day experiences by adding more joy and less worry.
Love Always,
M
Souloom™ 